The Occupy Wall Street rally appeared to pick up steam Wednesday as more protesters joined, including supporters from unions, but many CNN.com readers struggled to define the point of the demonstrations.

stevebr1956 said, "Seems like the left has once again gotten the cart before the horse. When you are angry enough to protest, wouldn't the first thing be about what they are protesting against?"

Bama918 said, "I think a comparison to the tea party movement is more apt than a comparison to the Arab Spring. I find the whole idea of the Occupy (Wherever) very compelling: They are saying things this country has been ignoring and sweeping under the rug too long. My criticism is that the movement needs to evolve a clear message and set of goals."

OWS replied, "This movement is about
1. Democracy. We demand that the government be truly responsive to those it represents. We demand an end to the massive corporate influence blocking the voice of the people by eliminating corporate personhood and limiting monetary contributions to political campaigns and lobbying.
2. Economic security. We demand effective reforms to prevent banks and financial institutions from causing future economic crises.
3. Corporate responsibility. We demand strict repercussions for corporations and institutions who cause serious financial damage to our country and its taxpayers.
4. Financial fairness. We demand tax reforms to ensure that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes."

Safer said, "This is not about liberalism, this is about corruption, greed and a dysfunctional government. OLD school says, 'Your vote will make a change.' That does not work any longer because both sides are the same."

shmuckell said, "I went from being interested in what may come of this, to being absolutely disgusted. The people behind this are adbusters dot org, socialist activists out of Canada. There are huge problems in our system that require solutions. These Canadian activists do not provide solutions; they specialize in culture jamming."

Texan13 said, "A great American once said, 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' Today protesters are camping out on Wall Street and other major cities across America. The division between rich and poor has never been greater. Corporations are moving operations overseas in
order to increase profits and avoid taxes. Politicians are failing to hear the voices of 'We the People.' "

Doorgunner47 said, "This is America's answer to the corporate-funded tea party. Taking back our power, one street at a time."

Do you feel your views align with those of these commenters? Post a comment below or sound off on video.

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.

soundoff(75 Responses)

s kel

Joseph McCarthy you are proud to have as a name the same as that gay guy who lead one of the most shameful episodes in this country with that witch hunt that said damn near half this country was communist affilated . He went too far as you did . Was found out to be a liar and disgrased from public, like im sure you would be McCarthy with your ignorant lies.

In 1789 the French Revolution was driven by the middle class. Of course it became corrupted, as everything eventually is, and was only saved temporarily by a military dictatorship under Napoleon before the system reasserted itself. America doesn't need a Terror, and the world has had enough experience with military dictators to know better, but, is anybody in our police state listening? Is this trip necessary? Again?

Why is it that if Americans stand up for themselves, which is a long time coming, a lot of idiots start spouting "looks like the tea party"? I don't even know what the tea party is but I can tell you that when people who work every day and do the things that they should and their income falls below the poverty level because of "inflation" something is wrong! I see the prices of everything from soup to nuts increase dramatically over the course of a few weeks and people are supposed to be able to sustain themselves like this? Corporations are driving their customers away by taking their jobs away and sending them overseas. Then corporations have to make up for that loss by hiking prices. But people can't afford the price hikes. Then you have stockholders who want to invest their money in the hopes of getting rich which drives the companies to send our jobs overseas to increase dividends. How is that no one seems to understand that all of this is tied together and the average American has no recourse left but to protest. That is our only dog in this fight. Make it possible for us to survive! I don't mind if people get rich, but I sure do mind if they wipe me from the face of the planet to do it! The credo should be at the highest levels in this country (corporations, stockholders, and government) "WE KICK PUPPIES AND KITTENS AND EUTHANIZE THOSE WHO ARE DEFENSELESS!"

I'm totally on board with laney. Greed is a powerful thing and is destroying our lives. As much as we want Corporations to bring back jobs in this country, who's qualified to do these jobs? People need training. A lot of people have no skills and the biggest problem too is, Employers do not want to pay you enough in order to keep up with inflation. So, how do we keep up with increasing prices? It's everything from gas to food and everything in between. Taxes! Another big problem! Medicare; issues with that as well. I can't afford to see my doctor. I have insurance but it covers very little and I have to pay out of pocket up to $2500 a yr before anything is covered. I'm a single mom of 1. A mortgage, car payment and credit cards unfortunately to pay so, by the end of the month, there's nothing left in the checking account and speaking of checking account....now all these Banks that were bailed out, are coming out with Fees so that they can once again screw the population and make their PROFITS! We want PROFITS in our pockets too so, it needs to trickle down to us too not just RICH people! Some of us weren't fortunate like them but that's no cause for them to punish us by taking every cent we make either! Something needs to change and fast before it's too late.

Yea!!! It's about time the people are being heard in this country. We have sacrificed enough at the hands of corporate greed. We, no longer can afford all the inflated prices based on greed. It's all about the money to them and they don't care who they hurt as long as it increases their pockets. Their greed has caused us to live a substandard way of life, and we've had enough!! They call themselves the job creators??? Well, where are all the jobs???? Why are over 1 million people still out of work???? Why are big companies still laying off tens of thousands of people each quarter??? Keep people working and stop padding your pockets....the war between the corporate rich and the poor has begun!!

What's really scary is it looks like GLENN BECK WAS RIGHT!! These are not the average american protesting. You have anarchists, labor unions, socialist/communist party groups and a bunch of whiney college kids who have benefited from the system they protest. My generation protested against a war...these people are protesting because being successful and earning a good living is just too hard for them. By the way can anyone tell me when they tea party occupies property or held cicvil disobedience marches. How many tea partiers have you seen getting arrested at their rallies? Answer...NONE

Although I as quasi independent do support many of the goals of the "Tea Party". I also realize that their philosophy is not going to put any more people to work or raise the standard of living of the working poor. It's to bad that their "so called" leaders had to have failed Economics 101 and American history in school. It started out as as decent movement until they somehow got high jacked by the various religious secs etc ....Oh, well..Maybe the Wall Street protesters will have some impact!

The "occupy" events are clearly organized by those who wish to undermine the power of this great Country. The free market system is what has made the United States a world leader. Academics looking for a handout and unsure even of what they are complaining about are being used as puppets by Marxist / Socialist elements to advance their cause. Digital messages from "Anonymous" give them their marching orders. These are in no way "grass roots" movements.

"From each according to his abiility, to each according to his need." This is the crux of the OWS movement and its fairly fascinating watching this concept return to the US in such force.

This is what is really going on here – these people are saying that the 'need help' so they want to take the wealth from those with an ability to earn it – and transfer it to them. It's a simple concept and a very appealing one to alot of people. After all not everyone was born with intelligence or talent or weath – and they cannot acquire such things on their own.

The US needs to do a better job to reinforce itself against such sentiment. The power of 'higher education' needs to be reigned in for starters. People should be encouraged to get degrees in fields they are suited for..

"""This is America's answer to the corporate-funded tea party. Taking back our power, one street at a time""""

This is CANADA's answer to the tea party.
Adbusters isn't an American organization and it blows my mind why THAT story isn't being run.
THAT story being "occupy wall st" being instigated by a Canadian organization.

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